Chapter 20 — There Are Wounds That Only Truth Can Heal

Tran Dich bowed his head. Silence for a long time. Then softly said:

"The person named Tran Quoc Binh..."

"Grandma said..."

"It's my father."

"But from small to large."

"I've never met him."

"Even..."

"I don't know what kind of person he is either."

I looked at you.

"In the letter."

"What did your grandmother write about him?"

He replied softly.

"She said..."

"He's a very good man."

"I love your mother very much."

"If he hadn't died that year."

"Definitely will be a good father."

I smiled very slightly.

"Then..."

"Just remember him like that."

Tran Dich nodded slightly. Put your backpack back on. Say goodbye. Then turned around and left. I walked him to the pharmacy door. Watching that figure walk through the glass door. Go into the street. The street that... Throughout this life. Perhaps you will never forget. A real turning point. Came six weeks later. I am sitting in the office. Check an import order. The phone suddenly rang. It's lawyer Luu. Just picked up the phone. I heard the excitement she was trying to suppress.

"Van Ninh."

"The police have news."

"During the re-investigation of the Tran Quoc Binh case."

"They have found some new clues related to the car that caused the accident that year."

"Simultaneously."

"Also confirmed a very important piece of evidence."

"A re-investigation has been officially initiated."

I slowly put down the file.

"Is it related to the Ha family?"

"Present."

"The investigation is targeting a driver."

"Someone who used to work for the Ha family."

"Twenty years ago."

"He left the area."

"Found it."

"The investigation agency is verifying."

"What did he say?"

"Currently, testimony is still being taken."

"Once the case has been re-established."

"The people involved."

"Sooner or later you'll be pulled in."

I squeezed the phone gently. Someone pushed a cart by. The sound of wheels rolling on the road echoed softly.

"Lawyer Liu."

"Thank you."

"What's the news?"

"Tell me immediately."

"There's one more thing."

"The court has set a date for the first trial."

"Next Wednesday."

"You prepare yourself."

I hung up. Sit still for a long time. Repeat that news over and over in your head. The strange thing is... I'm not happy. Don't feel sad either. Just feel. Everything... Finally got to where it was supposed to go. Wednesday next week. My mother-in-law... Surely she already knew. The old driver... Has been found. That afternoon. Ha Kien Minh texted me.

"Van Ninh."

"Whatever your mother's results are."

"I won't blame you either."

I don't answer. At moment later. He texted again.

"I know."

"I don't owe you any more."

After that message. I won't send any more. Niem Niem sat down to eat very well. The corner of his mouth still had a grain of rice stuck to it. I took a tissue to help wipe it. The girl immediately tilted her head to avoid it.

"I can clean it myself."

It kept struggling. Again, he wiped the grain of rice all over his cheek. I laughed. Please help me clean it again. The baby is satisfied. Continue eating. I looked at my child. asked softly.

"Nem Niem."

"I know..."

"Have you moved out recently?"

The child nodded.

"There's a project out there."

"Should be over there."

I pondered for a long time. Just speak slowly.

"Maybe..."

"Dad won't be at our house anymore."

"For a very long time."

Niem Niem stopped chopsticks. Raise your head and look at me. Think for a long time. Then bow down.

"Does Dad still come to visit you?"

I nodded head. The baby smiled.

"So that's okay."

"As long as Dad still comes to visit me."

"It's okay."

A five year old child. Just a simple sentence. It made my throat tight again. I quietly spooned another bowl of soup for my child. Swallowing back that choking feeling. Date of opening of trial. I wear a dark blue shirt. Tie your hair neatly. When going to court. Lawyer Luu was waiting at the gate. Ha Kien Minh was also present. Stand on the other side of the hallway. He nodded slightly. I also nodded in response. Next to you. Is a male lawyer younger than lawyer Luu. Clip the file under your armpit. The face is full of professionalism. The first trial did not last long. Mainly confirms the will of both parties to divorce. And declare assets. Lawyer Luu presented it very clearly.

"My client requested a divorce."

"Custody of the child belongs to the mother."

"Common property."

"Divided according to the law."

"Don't ask for more."

"Don't give in either."

Ha Kien Minh side. Not much objection. Just persistently recommend. I want to have the right to visit my child periodically. Lawyer Luu replied.

"Visitation."

"We will continue to negotiate."

The trial ended. Less than an hour. Get out of court. Lawyer Luu said.

"The procedure is still continuing."

"Awaiting the final verdict."

"If it's quick."

"Two months."

"If it's slow."

"It will take longer."

I stood on the steps in front of the court. Look at the small city in front of you. Vehicles pass by. The flow of people is still busy. Everything is normal. Like... Nothing happened. Ha Kien Minh stopped behind. His lawyer went ahead. Between me and you. Just two steps away. He called softly.

"Van Ninh."

I'm back. First time. During this incident. He makes no excuses. Don't find a reason. Just simple. Say sorry. I looked at him. Respond calmly.

"I know."

I walked down the stairs. Go towards the parking lot. No one chased. Only the sound of one person's footsteps remained. I returned to the pharmacy. Hang up your coat. Go into the office. Continue processing unfinished import orders from yesterday. Tieu Sang brought in a glass of water. Place on the table.

"If there's anything you need."

"Just say it."

I smiled.

"Help me keep an eye on the clinic this afternoon."

"If something happens, call me."